Power-driven mowing machine



March 31, 1942; J. 5. CLAPPER 2,2,844

POWER-DRIVEN MOWING MACHINE Filed Feb. 26, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 [Vl/ENTOR fol/NJ: CLAPPER AT QENEKF -arch 3H, 14. .1. s. CLAPPE'R 2,277,844

POWER- DRIVEN MOWING MACHINE Filed Feb. 26, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 [NVENTOR JOHN J: CLAPPER March 31, 1942.; J. 5. CLAPPER 2,277,844

POWER-DRIVEN MOWING MACHINE Filed Feb. 26, 1940 6 sheets- -sheet 3 [NVENTOR JaH/vJ. C'LA PPER dame March 31, 1942. J. s. CLAPPER 2,277,844

POWER-DRIVEN MOWING MACHINE Filed Feb. 26, 1940 Sheets-Sheet 4 & $21; 1

I35 I49 4 I50 160 .iNl/ENTOR I85 JOHNJ'. CLAPPER os -{WWW ATTORNE YJ 5 sheets-sheet 5 All/ENTOI? JoH/y J. CLAPPER (7m, M M

J S CLAPPER POWER-DRIVEN MOWING MACHINE.

File d Feb. 26, 1940 Patented Mar. 31, 1942 POWER-DRIVEN MOWING MACHINE John S. Clapper, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Tom Manufacturing Corporation of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application February 26, 1940, Serial No. 320,902

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to mowing apparatus of the motor driven transport type and more particularly to improvements in such apparatus for facilitating the use of such mowers.

In transport mowers, it is customary to provide means for elevating the mowing units into transporting positions, and where the cutting unit is of the sickle bar type, into upright position. In the problem of roadside sickle bar mowing, particularly, it is essential to provide for rapidity of elevation of the sickle bar for clearing obstacles, and also desirable to provide means for changing by small increments the angular position of the sickle bar to accommodate changes in bank or ditch slope or to clear obstacles.

In the present invention, rapid elevation, low ering, and adjustment of the position of mowing units with reference to the transport vehicle is accomplished by mechanical power means with a minimum number of controls, whereby expeditious operation is obtained.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a power driven mowing machine having power means for raising and lowering the mowing units.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a power driven mowing machine having ground wheel operated mowers and a sickle bar mower, which are selectively operable, and elevating mechanisms therefor all operated from a unitary power take-off transmission.

It is a further object of the invention, in a mowing machine, to provide a power driven hoist with a single control for raising and lowering one or a number of units.

It is also an object of the invention to provide means whereby one lifting motion imparted to a sickle bar about a pivot adjacent to the sickle head, as by a horizontally disposed tension member connected to a lifting arm that extends upward from the bar and pivot, will, upon actuating the bar to an upright position, at the same time lift the sickle head and pivot to a higher elevation from the ground than in cutting position.

It is likewise an object of the invention to support the sickle head from the vehicle when desired, and to hold the skid plate thereof off from the ground at a distance readily adjustable from the vehicle, whereby the skid plate may be made to clear curbs, and other Jibstructions of approximately uniform height, which occur along the edges of highways. o

Other objects of the invention are those inherent in the apparatus herein illustrated, described and claimed.

The apparatus is shown in the drawings in which- Figure 1 isa plan view partly in section of the tion, along the lines t-t of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlargement partly in section of the power transmitting and gear shifting apparatus along the line 5-5 of Figures 2 and v6.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional plan view along the line 6-6 of Figure 5. In Figure 6, a sectional line 55 shows the point from which the upper portion of Figure 5 is viewed.

Figure 7 is' an enlarged fragmentary view along the line and in the direction of arrow ll in Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view along the lines 8-8 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a sectional view of a fragment of the apparatus taken along the line 99 of Fig- Figure 11- is a fragmentary side elevational' view of the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 10. This figure is a view taken along the line H-Il of Figure 10.

GENERAL ORGANIZATION The general plan of the invention comprises a tractor transport vehicle generally designated In (Figure 1) having a motor H, a front axle l2 having steerable front wheels I3 and I4, and rear driving axle I6 upon which is mounted rear driving wheels l1 and I8. The vehicle includes a chassis frame consisting of side members 26 and 2|, and a rear cross-frame member 22. The motor compartment ll includes a transmission compartment 23, which is connected by means of a suitable drive shaft 24 to the rear axle differential housing 25.

Grouped upon the vehicle are a plurality of mowing instrumentalities which may be of diverse sorts. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 through 9, there are provided ground wheel driven mowing units A, B and C, which accomplish ordinary grass cutting operation by means of a revolving reel cutter, not illustrated, on each of the units. In themselves, these units are conventional and include a cutting reel driven from ground engaging drive and supporting wheels. In addition, at the right side of the vehicle and somewhat forward of center, there is mounted a sickle bar cutting instrumentality S, which is power-driven from the motor of the tractor transport vehicle l0,

Each of the mowing units A, B and C is at-- connection at 38 and 39 to the bracket on the vehicle, and universal connection at 34 and 35 to vehicle chassis, are accompanied by a vertical clearance from each other at the crossing point, and are not interconnected. Displacements of the mower unit in a vertical plane, relative to the vehicle chassis, are accomplished by a vertical swinging motion having an effective radius K, whereas displacements in a horizontal plane are around the imaginary point 42 where the cross drawbars intersect, the effective radius being the distance D.

The head of the sickle bar has ground support upon a skid plate 58 and pivotally engages swing frame generally designated 5|, which extends upwardly toward the vehicle l8 where it is connected at 52 to a longitudinal frame member 53. The member 53 is in turn mounted by means of brackets 54 and 55 upon the shaft 55. The shaft 56 is mounted at its forward end in the front cross fram member 51 of the vehicle l0, and at its rearward end is mounted upon an intermediate cross frame member 58. The skid plate 58 engages arm 80, which is rigidly joined by bars BI and 62 as an integral part of swing frame 5|, connected at 52.

The entire sickle bar mowing unit is accordingly free to move in a vertical plane about shaft 56. Horizontal movement is prevented by a tow bar 64, which is connected to the swing frame arm 60 at'65 and is hooked into a hole 56 upon the longitudinal frame member 53..

Th sickle bar, generally designated 18, is pivotally mounted at 1| and 1| upon swing frame 5| and may be elevated to vertical position and raised as shown in the dotted lines of Figure 3, where it may be supported by hook 81.

Alongside the frame ID of the vehicle, there is pivotally mounted a rock shaft 25, the forward end of which is journalled upon a post 21 at tached to the frame of the vehicle. The forward end of the shaft carries a short arm 28 to which a chain 29 is attached. The chain extends downwardly and is attached to an arcuate horn 31 extension from the sickle bar unit 10. The rear end of shaft 26 is journalled in a detent quadrant plate 30 and there is provided a lever 33 extending upwardly from the shaft 25. The lever has .a detent release grip 36 which serves to lift detent pawl 36' whereby the lever 33, shaft 26 and arm 28 may be positioned as desired. The lever 33 is illustrated in full lines in the position used when mowing over turf. When mowing along highways it is often desired to elevate the sickle bar assembly a slight distance above the pavement, and this is accomplished by moving the lever toward the dotted line position whereby arm 28 is rotated upwardly, the slack is taken out of chain 29 and the sickle assembly as a whole is elevated.

A different action, however, occurs when the sickle bar is angularly elevated. This will be explained more fully hereinaften.

The sickle bar 18 is provided with blade 13, which is oscillated in the toothed bar 14 by means of a pitman link 15 connected to pitman wheel 18. The pitman wheel is carried by shaft 11 mounted in journal 1|. At the rear end of the pitman shaft 11, there is mounted a double grooved pulley 18, which is aligned with a similar pulley 19 upon the power take-off drive generally designated 88.

The power take-off is best illustrated in Figure 5 and consists of a gear wheel 8| driven from the transmission 23 of the propelling motor on the tractor. Gear 82 is mounted upon a spined shaft 84 and may be moved axially along the shaft by means of fork 81 on shift rod 88. When moved into meshing engagement with gear 8|, gear 82 is rotated, and accordingly drives the shaft 84 and pitman drive pulley 19 mounted thereon. Gear 83 is instantly meshed with gear 8| and constantly rotates shaft 89 and sprocket 90 thereon.

Between th pulleys 18 and 19, there is provided a belt tlghtener 85, which serves to apply a constant tension upon the V-belts 86. When gear 82 is moved out of engagement with gear 8|, which is accomplished by means of the slide block 81 upon slide shaft 88, the drive to the sickle is accordingly interrupted, but since the gears 83 and 8| are engaged, the power supply to shaft 89 is continuous.

Mowing unit hoists brake-clutch-drive gear member generally designated 94, which is mounted for free rotation upon the-shaft 93. The member 94 has a brake drum shaped surface 95 against which an outer brake drum 98 is applied, and an inner clutch surface, against which a'clutch member generally designated 91 operates. The clutch consists of a hub and web part 98, which is keyed to and accordingly rotates with the shaft 93. Opposite ends of the web have integrally formed semi-circular clutch faces formed thereon, which are faced with clutch friction material. The semi-circular clutch pieces have free ends and the entire unit is circumferentially expansible to cause the clutch friction material to engage the inside of the drum 95. To accomplish the expansion, there are two lever arms |03|04 pivotally mounted on the web. One end of each lever arm bears against the adjacent free end of the semi-circuular clutch part, while the other ends of the lever arms are fitted with rub buttons which are adapted to be forced outwardly by means of conical surface I86.

The cone I86 is slidable endwise upon shaft 83 and is arranged to be operated by means of a lever I01, which is pivoted upon bolt I08 upon lever I01 are bifurcated asshown at I09 so as to engage the stub shafts III of the clutch cone shifting collar II2, the latter being rotatable with respect to the clutch cone. As the lever I09 is moved in the direction of arrow II5, i. e., to the dotted line position, the clutch cone I06 is driven against the rub buttons I05. The buttons are accordingly forced outwardly and swing the levers I03 and I04 about the screws IN and I02. The outwardly extending ends of the levers bear against the ends of the expansible clutch ring, and the ring is accordingly expanded circumferentially into engagement with the member 95. Since the clutch ring is keyed to and rotated with shaft 93, the member 95 is accordingly rotated, and the sprocket II6 mounted thereon drives chain H1 and accordingly drives large sprocket II8, best seen in Figures 5 and 6.

On the outer surface of member 95, there is mounted a brake band 96, which is fixedly attached to the frame member I2I by means of rivets I22. The brake band is arranged to be drawn upwardly by means of a spring I23, which is mounted upon the rod I 24. The brake is accordingly self-energizing when the member 96 is rotated in the direction of arrow I30 (Figure 5),.

but does not prevent the member 95 from being driven in the opposite direction, which is the.

normal hoisting rotation of shaft 93 and the clutch parts thereon. When in the neutral position, the cone I06 is sufiicientlywithdrawn so that the clutch surfaces 99 and I are not in engagement with the member 95 and the latter is accordingly not rotated in hoisting direction. At the same time, the brake is effective and the member 951s held against lowering rotation in the direction of arrow I30.

It therefore follows, that a lifting apparatus actuated by sprocket II8 can be made to lift weight whenever cone I06 is operated by lever I01 in the direction M to engage the clutch mounted on shaft 93. When the lever is returned to neutral position, reverse rotation of sprockets H6 and H8 is prevented by a selfenergizing brake now to be described.

Above the clip I25, which is attached to the brake bands, there is a tubular member I26 having anoutwardly extending finger portion I21. In order to release the member 95 for lowering rotation in the direction of arrow I30, the operating knob I09 and lever I 01 are moved in the direction of arrow H9, 1. e. to the position represented by dot and dash lines in Figure '1, by first lifting the finger piece IIO, which in turn lifts the locking member I20 so that the lever may be moved from the neutral position shown in full lines. The lever I01 may then be moved to the position shown in dot and dash lines (Figure 7), in which position the side piece I2I on the lever engages the finger I21 on the tubular portion I26 and forces the latter downwardly against the action of spring I23. This releases brake 96 and permits the member 95 to rotate in the lowering direction of arrow I30. As the member thus rotates, it also permits a corresponding turning of sprocket H6 and large sprocket II 8, which is attached thereto by means of chain II1. This movement of lever I01 Y to engage the clutch, thereby to cause rotation in one direction, or to release the brake, thereby to permit'rotation in 75 the other direction, controls the raising and lowering of both the sickle bar S or the group of mowing units A, B and C, as described below.

Sickle bar hoist The sprocket H8 is provided with an enlarged hub portion I35, which is freely journalled. upon the shaft I36. The shaft I36 in turn carries a collar plate I31, which is keyed to the shaft'and the shaft and collar plate are journalled for rotation in bearing I38 in the power hoist frame member I40. The forward end of shaft I36is journalled in a pillow block I4I, upon side frame member I42, and carries thereon a winding apparatus consisting of a pair of spaced plates I43, these being slightly chamfered so as to permit easy entrance of the hoisting cable I44, which is accordingly wound in the space between the plates. The cable extends downwardly over pulley I45, and thence to the bracket I46 on the sickle bar carrying frame. The web of sprocket H1 is apertured and the hub I35 of sprocket H8 is provided with a small web I48, which is similarly 'apertured. The apertures receive a pair of sliding rods I49 which are fastened together with simultaneous movement by means of an encircling. flange I50. The flange I50 is arranged to be engaged by the fork I5I attached to hoist shift lever I52, so that when the lever I52 is moved in the rearward direction with reference to the motor vehicle, the fork I5! is moved forwardly being below the pivot I53. The rods I09 are accordingly moved forwardly from the apertures in web I48 and through the web of sprocket H8, and engage apertures I54 in the collar I31 thereby to drive the collar. Since the collar is keyed to the shaft I36, the latter is rotated and 20. As the sickle bar'is elevated, it rotates the free end of horn 31 downwardly and as a result any slack in chain 29 is taken up. Then with chain 29 taut, further hoisting force on cable I44 moves the swing frame 5I upwardly. As a result, the sickle bar is raised, not only angularly, but also vertically to the position shown in the dotted lines.

Multiple mower hoist Within the rear portion of the hub I35 of sprocket II8, there is journalled a shaft I60. Shaft I is free to turn in the hub, which accordingly forms a bearing for the shaft. The rear end of shaft I60 is journalled at. I6I in the frame I62 and carries a gear I 63 as shown in Figures 2 and 9. The gear I63 engages a larger gear I64, which has integrally formed with it a companion small gear I65. The gears I64 and I65 are unitary and rotate upon idler shaft I66. The gear portion I65 engages the gear I61, which is mounted upon the forwardly extending end of shaft I68. The rear end of shaft I68 is provided with two winding grooves I10 and "I, which are similar to the winding groove I43 previously described, though somewhat smaller. Upon the winding groove I10, there is wound a cable I12,

which extends transversely across the frame and is col nected to a branch cable I13 as shown in Figure 1. The branch cable is operated over a pulley I14 and thence through guide tubes I16 and I16 to the pulley I11 immediately above mowing unit C. The cable I12 extends directly across the mower to a similar pulley I18 upon the outwardly extending end of the guide tube I19, and thence downwardly to the mowing unit A. Upon the drum "I, there is similarly wound a cable I88 which extends outwardly to the pulley l8l mounted in the guide tube I82 upon side frame members 28, as shown in Figure 4. The position of pulley I8I is over mowing unit B and the cable I8I extends downwardly and is attached to the mowing unit B.

As shaft I63 is rotated, the winding grooves I18 and H! are rotated at a much reduced rate. The cables I12 and I88 are wound and accordingly serve simultaneously to elevate all of the mowing units. Upon the forward end of the shaft I68, there is provided a collar and flange arrangement I85 (identical with that shown at l3l- -l5t, immediately in front of sprocket H8). The collar I85 has a flange I86, which is provided with openings for receiving the rods I99, when they are shifted backwardly by means of a lever I52. When this occurs, the drive is from the sprocket H1 through the rods I89-I89 to the collar I86, and thence through shaft I68 to the winding grooves I18I1I.

Intermediate between the collar I86 and hearing I6I, there is provided a brake drum I98, which is provided with a brake band I9I'. The latter may be tightened by means of the wing screw I92 r so as to prevent shaft I68 from rotating.

Operation It is assumed that mowing units A, B and C are in the elevated position and are held in the elevated position by brake band I9I being tightened upon the brake drum I98. This serves to prevent rotation of the winding drums I18 and Ill, and the winding drums in turn serve to hold the cables I12I13-I88 from being played out and accordingly the mowing units A, B, and C are maintained in elevated condition.

It is also assumed that the sickle bar mowing unit S is in elevated condition, and is maintained at elevated condition by means of hook 61.

The gear 82 may be either in engagement or cut of engagement with gear 8| and the pitman drive pulley I9. and pitman drive shaft 11 and pitman wheel 16 may be either operative or non-operative while the sickle bar is in the vertical position. Operation in the vertical position is useful, as where the mowing machine is used for hedge trimming.

Since gear wheel 83 is constantly engaged with gear 8|, shaft 89 and sprocket 98 are constantly rotated and serve to rotate the sprocket wheel 92 and shaft 93.

It is assumed that shaft lever I52 is moved backwardly so as to move the rods I49 into engagement with the forward collar I31 on shaft I36. The hook 61 is then released, but the sickle bar does not rotate downwardly even though stress is placed upon the hoisting cable I due to the fact that lowering movement tends to cause rotation of the winding drum I83, and brake member 95 in the direction of arrow I38 (see Figure 5). Since the brake 96 is self-energizing due to the action of spring I23, the member 95 is prevented from rotating. The operator then moves the operating lever I81 forwardly in the direction of arrow H9 and this accordingly moves the finger I2I into engagement with the lug I21 and this serves to loosen the brake band 96, thus permitting brake drum 95, sprocket H8 and the shaft 93 to rotate in the lowering direction thus playing out the hoisting cable I until the sickle bar mowing unit has reached the desired elevation.

When it is desired to elevate the sickle bar S, the operating lever I81 is drawn backwardly in the direction of arrow H6 thus forcing the cone I86 into engagement with rub buttons I85. This expands the clutch surfaces 99 and I88 outwardly into engagement with the interior of brake-clutch drum 95 and the latter is rotated.

. The brake drum rotates sprockets H6 and the latter rotates sprocket H8 upon shaft I36 so as to wind the hoist cable I. As the operating lever I81 is moved to the neutral position shown in full lines. Figure 7, the clutch cone I86 i withdrawn sufiiciently to stop the drive, and the sickle bar tends to unwind the cable and move the brake drum 95 in the direction of arrow I38, but since the brake 96 is applied automatically, the sickle bar is held in elevated condition.

It will thus be apparent that the operator of the mower can raise and lower the sickle bar very expeditiously, simply bymoving the lever I81 forwardly and backwardly, respectively, and

the operator is'thus'enabled expeditiously to elevate' the sickle bar to clear roadside objects and to adjust the angular position of the sickle bar for changesgin bank 'slope.

When it is desired permanently to elevate the sickle bar, this is accomplished by angularly elevating and-then lifting the sickle bar to the angular position shown in the dotted lines in Figure 3, the vertical lift of the sickle bar being accomplished by the interaction of chain 28 and horn 31 as previously described. Hook 61 is then applied and lever I81 moved forwardly so as to release the brake 96. This releases the strain on the hoisting cable and the shift lever I52 is then I moved into neutral position or to the rear position (see Figure 6) into engagement with notches I86 of collar I for lowering the mowing units A, B and C. After the lever I52 has been moved so as to slide the rods I49--I49 into driving engagement with the notches I86 of collar I85, wing nut I92 of brake I98 is unscrewed so as to release the brake band I9I. This accordingly permits the weight of the mowing units A, B and C to apply an unwinding force uponshaft I68 and thence through large sprocket H8 and small sprocket H6 to the brake band 96, which eing self-energized sustains the mowing units A, B and C in elevated condition. Operating lever I81 is then moved forwardly so as to release brake band 96 as previously described and the mowing units A, B and C are simultaneously lowered into contact with the surface to be mowed. The lowering movement is continued sumciently so as to provide suflicient slack in cables I88, I12 and I13 to permit undulating movement of the mowing units during grass cutting operation. When it is desired to elevate the mowing units A, B and C as during transportation, the lever I81 is moved backwardly in the direction of arrow II 5 thus forcing the clutch surfaces 99I88 against the inner sides of clutch-brake drum as previously described. This applies power to sprocket H6 and large sprocket H8, and then through rods I49I49 to shaft I68, which rotates the gear train shown in Figure 9,

'vated condition.

' constitute a rigid unity.

upturned rear edge 2 !8.

and accordingly rotates the winding grooves lllI-l'l! to elevate the mowing units. The lever I! is moved to neutral position shown in full lines in Figure 7, and brake band 96 is automatically applied and prevents backward rotation of the winding grooves !I0-!'|!. As a result, the mowing units are maintained in ele- If the mowing units are thereafter soon to be lowered. it is unnecessary to tighten brake band !9! upon brake !90 since the mowing units are maintained by the action of brake 95. However, if the mowing units are to be maintained in elevated condition for sometime as when the mowing machine is used for sicklebar mowing, the brake E99 is applied by screwing down the wing nut M32. The lever I07 is then moved forwardly in the direction of arrow H9 so as to release brake 96 and since this removes the driving stress upon rods Hi9 they may easily be moved out of engagement with the notches in flange use by operation of the lever !52.

Self-powered sickle bar mower In Figures 10 and 11, there is illustrated a modified form of the invention in which the sickle bar mowing unit is self-powered and is mounted for movement alongside-a tractor or truck which is the towing unit. This form of the invention comprises a main frame generally designated 200 composed of side frame members 2M and 202, which are joined together by a gusset plate 203 and longitudinal frame member 202. The gusset plate carries a pivot bracket 205, which is journalled at 206 upon the rod longitudinally of the towing vehicle 209. The brace 2!0 is likewise journalled at 2!2 upon the rod 201, and is solidly fastened to the forward ends of frame members 203 and 204, so as to prevent tipping of the unit. The forward end of the frame member is likewise provided with a skid shoe 2l5.

Extending transversely from the frame member 204 are two transverse frame members M6.

and 2H, which are fastened together so as to A skid plate 2|9 is secured to the frame member 2!! and has an The frame members 2 l6 and 2!] are connected together by tubular frame member 222. Between the frame member 204 and tubular supports 222, there is mounted an axle 22! upon which a single tired ground wheel 223'is journalled. The wheel 223 serves to support the weight of the sickle bar mower which is otherwise free to move toward the ground about the shaft 20'! as an axis.

Outside of the tubular support 222, there is provided bushings 224 and 225, which serve as horizontal journals for the sickle bar mowing unit S, which is accordingly capable of being moved about the axis of tubular support 222, so that it may asume a vertical position. The inside of the tubular support 222 forms a journal for the pitman shaft upon which pitman wheel 226 and drive pulley 22! are mounted. A pitman link 228 connects the pitman wheel 226 and the cutter bar 229. I longitudinal frame member 23!, which is turned upwardly at the forward end 232. Forwardly extending and upwardly turned deflector plate 233 is likewise provided upon the sickle bar. The toothed sickle bar 235 is bolted to the frame piece 236, and upon the top of the frame piece 236 there is mounted a raised elevating horn 23'! to which the hoisting cable 238 is attached at eye 239.

The sickle bar-frame includes a Between the frame members 200 and 202, there is a longitudinal frame member 240 and upon this member and the longitudinal frame member 204, there is bolted a small internal combustion engine generally designated E. The engine has a drive pulley 242 at one end which serves to drive the pitman shaft pulley 221 through a suitable belt 243, which is arranged to be tightened by means of a belt tightener pulley 245, mounted upon the swinging arm 246. The arm 246 is pivoted to frame member 2!! at 241, and has an operating extension 248, which may be operated from the tractor or truck 209 by suitable cable.

At the forward end of the engine E, there is a gear reduction box 250, and a slow speed drive shaft 25l. The drive shaft 25! has'journalled upon it a clutch .and brake assembly identical with that shown in Figure 7. The clutch cone 806 is, as shown in Figure 7, arranged to be operated by an operating lever l0? and serves, when the lever i0? is moved in the direction of arrow M5 to engage the driving shoes of the clutch and brake drum 95 and thereby drives the small sprocket H5 all as previously described with reference to Figure 7. The sprocket [6 has a drive chain 252, which serves to drive a large chain sprocket 253, which is mounted upon rotatable shaft 252. Shaft 25% carries the cable winding grooves 255, which receives the hoisting cable 238.

At one side of the lever !0!, there is provided the brake operating finger !2! in a manner identical with that shown in Figure 7. When the operating finger I2! is brought into contact with the lug I21, the brake band 96 is released and permits the cable 238 to be lowered under the influence of the weight of the sickle bar S, when the operating lever I0! is moved in the direction of arrow H9. It is to be understood, of course, that operating lever I0! of Figure 11 has. aneutral position, a clutch engaging position, and'a brake releasing position, all as described with reference to the identical device shown in Figure '7, and that the brake 96 is automatically applied and prevents the rotation of brake drum in the reverse direction. The lever I0! is arranged to be operated by an operating rod 260 from the cab of the tractor or truck 209.

In operation, the motor E is started and the lever !0! moved in the direction of arrow H9 to release the brake 96 and thus permit the sickle bar unit to be lowered into mowing condition.

The belt tightener lever 248 is then moved to tighten the belt 243, and the pitman shaft, pitman link and sickle bar are operated. When it is desired to elevate the sickle bar quickly, the lever I0! is moved in the direction of arrow H5 and power is automatically applied and rotates the winding groove 255. The sickle bar is thereby elevated. The sickle bar remains elevated due to the action of the self-energizing brake 96, which is operative when the clutch is in neutral to prevent movement in the reverse or sickle lowering motion. When it is desired to lower the sickle bar, the lever I0! is moved in the direction of arrow H5. This releases the brake and due to the weight of the sickle bar the hoisting cable is unwound from the winding groove 255.

Many obvious variations may be made in the apparatus described and illustrated without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed.

What I claim is: v

1. A mowing machine comprising a tractor, a motor on said tractor for driving the same, a plurality of types of mowing units each type being mounted on said tractor for elevation from mowing position to an elevated position, hoist means on the tractor for each of said types of mowing units, a power take-01f on the motor and a power transmitting drive for transmitting power to the hoist means of either type of mowing unit selectively, thereby to raise either type selectively.

2. A mowing machine, comprising a frame, a mowing unit mounted on said frame for movement from mowing position to an elevated position, a motor in said frame for operating the mowing unit, a power driven hoist for elevating the mowing unit, disconnectable power transmitting means between the hoist and motor, manually controlled means movable in one direction for connecting the hoist from the motor, and movable in another direction for disconnecting the hoist from the motor, a spring actuated friction brake for normally holding the hoist against reverse operation in any of its hoisting positions, and means connecting the manual means to said brake for moving the brake to non-braking condition when the manual means is moved in the direction for connecting the hoist and motor.

3. A mowing machine comprising a vehicle, a sickle bar assembly extending transversely from the vehicle, said assembly being mounted for vertical translatory movement and radial swinging movement in a vertical plane from a horizontal radial position to a vertical radial position, means mounted on the vehicle and connected to said sickle bar assembly for radially swinging the same from the horizontal to the vertical position, and additional means interconnecting the sickle bar assembly and the vehicle and operable when the sickle bar assembly is swung upwardly for moving the assembly upwardly.

4. A mowing machine comprising a vehicle, a swing frame pivoted upon the vehicle for radial swinging movement in a vertical plane transverse of the vehicle, a sickle bar assembly pivotally mounted on the swing frame for radial swinging movement in a vertical plane transverse of the vehicle, means for swinging the sickle bar radially with respect to the swing frame, and normally slack means interconnecting the sickle bar and frame and operated to be tightened when the sickle .bar assembly is swung radially upwardly with respect to the swing frame for lifting the sickle bar assembly and swing frame upwardly.

5. A mowing machine comprising a vehicle, a swing frame pivoted upon the vehicle for radial swinging movement in a vertical plane transverse of the vehicle, a sickle bar assembly pivotally mounted on the swing frame for radial swinging movement in a vertical plane transverse of the vehicle, means for swinging the sickle bar radially with respect to the swing frame, connection means on the vehicle and tension link means interconnecting the sickle bar assembly and connections means, said tension means being tightened so as to lift the swing frame and sickle bar as the sickle bar is radially swung upwardly, said connection means being mounted for variable positioning with respect to the vehicle.

6. A mowing machine comprising a vehicle, a sickle bar carrying frame mounted on the vehicle for vertical elevating movement relative to the vehicle, a sickle bar pivotally mounted on the sickle bar carrying frame for radial swinging movement in a vertical plane transverse to the vehicle, said pivotal connection being at one end of the sickle bar, a segment mounted on the sickle bar, said segment extending under said pivotal connection and upwardly partially around said pivotal connection on a side opposite to said sickle bar, connection means between said segment and vehicle, and means for radially swinging the sickle bar upwardly.

JOHN S. CLAPPER. 

